Season Review: Manchester United make progress but still flatter to deceive
Manchester United finished the season in second, claiming the spot as the best of the rest behind cross-town rivals Manchester City.
Jose Mourinho has been forced to batter away his fair share of criticism in the last two years but United have made progress in all areas this season.
Their points total of 81 points is 12 more than they managed in Mourinho’s first year at the club, but clubs are right to believe there is much more to come.
It promises to be another chaotic summer at Old Trafford, with a number of players set to leave and many set to arrive.
SUCCESS - JESSE LINGARD
The obvious candidate for this category is David de Gea. The United goalkeeper has enjoyed another spectacular season, winning the Golden Glove award (most clean sheets in a Premier League season) for the first time in his career.
However, the true success story of United’s season has been the emergence of Jesse Lingard. While Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have struggled to nail down regular starting berths, Lingard has flourished.
The England international is really starting to blossom for United and is now considered a regular starter under Mourinho.
Lingard has improved all areas of his game this season, but none more so than his finishing. The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season - only Romelu Lukaku has managed more (27).
FLOP - VICTOR LINDELOF
Much was anticipated of Victor Lindelof when United signed the Swedish centre-back from Benfica last summer, but he has endured a torrid first season at the club.
Lindelof’s performances have improved of late, but he would have dreamed of a far better start to life at Old Trafford.
Mourinho is obviously not entirely convinced of the 23-year-old that he is poised to sign a new centre-back for the third summer in a row.
Lindelof has only started 13 Premier League matches for United this season and it’s hard to imagine the Swede making himself a first-team regular next season.
Grade - C
